Henry’s (one of the oldest gay bars in the state, perhaps the oldest), which also operates The Underground, billed as an alternative industrial bar. You are likely to see a number of openly lesbian and gay couples around town, especially Downtown and in West Asheville.ĭowntown Asheville has several LGBT bars, including O. LGBT visitors increasingly are discovering Asheville, with its great natural beauty, innovative dining and drinking gigs, heavy-duty gallery, arts and crafts scene, interesting shops and numerous gay-owned or gay-welcoming B&Bs and inns and businesses.
In 2010, the gay-oriented publication, The Advocate, ranked Asheville as the “12th gayest city in America.” Atlanta was ranked #1. Another study, in 2011, also based on the latest official census results, found that Buncombe County (with 15.5 same sex couples per 1,000) and Asheville (19.7 per 1,000) are the most gay-friendly county and city in the state of North Carolina, on a per-capita basis well ahead of places like Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Period.Īccording to the latest United States census, the Asheville area has 83% more lesbian, gay bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) identified people than the typical American city or town.
